The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) hosted a public hearing on Thursday on proposed changes to Florida’s immunization requirements for school entry.
The DOH wants to remove requirements for immunizations like Hib, chickenpox, Hepatitis B, and Pneumococcal conjugate.
The state has pushed to remove childhood vaccine mandates since last year, citing "medical freedom."
Last year, State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said, "Every last one of them, every last one of them, is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery, okay? Who am I as a government or anyone else, or who am I as a man standing here now to tell you what you should put in your body? Who am I to tell you what your child should put in your body? I don't have that right."
The surgeon general reiterated that position on Thursday. "We need to respect that parental rights are important," he said.
Ladapo emphasizes the proposed changes do not prohibit or restrict immunizations, and he says they do not address the effectiveness of vaccines, only remove the requirement.
Floridians, including physicians, spoke during the public hearing, sharing different opinions on the issue.
One physician from Tallahassee urged the DOH to recommend Floridians receive immunizations, citing the rise of cases for vaccine-preventable diseases. "Dr. Ladapo, please retract these proposed rule changes," he added.
Other Floridians advocated for the right to choose. "Forced vaccination, especially for children, is not needed in this country," one man said.
Education groups like the Florida Education Association have argued getting rid of school entry vaccine requirements would make schools unsafe and lead to a resurgence of diseases.
Some state vaccine mandates are statutorily required and would need to be removed through the legislature.
For more information on the hearing, click here.
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